Jessamine County Sheriff’s Department Unveils New Headquarters

Jessamine County, KY – The Jessamine County Sheriff’s Department celebrated the opening of its new facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony on December 16, 2024. The department has moved to 201 N Main Street, occupying a three-story building previously used by Wes Banco.

The location was purchased by the Jessamine County Fiscal Court for $550,000 several years ago, with Judge-Executive David West noting that Wes Banco provided a discount under the condition that the building could be sold to a competing bank in the future. Following the acquisition, the county invested approximately $300,000 in renovations to modernize the structure, which included a new HVAC system.

“I hope it serves us for quite a while,” said West during the ceremony. Additionally, he highlighted plans for increased downtown parking behind the Sheriff’s Department, stating, “More downtown parking!”

Sheriff Kevin Grimes acknowledged the contributions of the deputies in the renovation process, which resulted in approximately $50,000 savings for the county. “A lot of the paint was done by us, a lot of the drywall upstairs, we had guys doing electrical work who were qualified electricians. You name it, our guys stepped up and did it,” Grimes remarked.

The first floor of the new facility features a large reception area, several offices, and a drive-thru for tax payments, allowing residents to complete transactions without exiting their vehicles. The second floor offers additional offices and interview rooms, while the third floor is dedicated solely to evidence management, accessed only by a specific employee.

During the ceremony, several local leaders were present, including nearly all of the Jessamine County Magistrates and Deputy Judge Executive Justin Ray. Also in attendance were Senator Donald Douglass, Representative Matt Lockett, Wilmore Mayor Harold Rainwater, and Nicholasville Mayor Alex Carter. West expressed gratitude towards Wes Banco for providing the building and acknowledged his staff’s hard work: “This office will serve every household in Jessamine County, not only for law enforcement but for vehicle inspections as the chief tax collection officer for numerous taxing entities.”

Grimes also emphasized the community benefits already noted with the introduction of the drive-thru service. “Did I two years ago think I would ever be here? No. We had a building, we were making do, and I never complained about the building. And here we are today,” he reflected.

The ceremonial ribbon cutting was initiated by Chamber of Commerce director Ronda May, marking the official opening of what community leaders hope will be a valuable asset for Jessamine County for years to come.